History Main / OldSOldier

* Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim. He joined the Imperial Russian Cavalry in 1882[[note]]In context: out of the gallery of major power leaders in WWII, he got into military school before Hitler, F.D. Roosevelt, Tōjō and De Gaulle had been born[[/note]], fighting in the UsefulNotes/RussoJapaneseWar, UsefulNotes/FirstWorldWar and UsefulNotes/RussianRevolution. After the collapse of Imperial Russia, he retired 1917 in the age of 50 as General, returning to his native Finland. Little did he know his great years were only ahead. He was immediately assigned as the commander-in-chief of the [[UsefulNotes/FinnsWithFearsomeForests Finnish White Army]], leading them in victory in the Finnish Independence War. He was again nominated as Supreme Commander as Field Marshall, leading the country through all three phases of the Second World War in Finland: the Winter War and later in the Continuation War and War of Lapland. He was 78 when he retired 1945, taking the office of President of Finland. Sadly, his health broke down and he passed away 1951.

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* Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim. He joined the Imperial Russian Cavalry in 1882[[note]]In context: out of the gallery of major power leaders in WWII, he got into military school before Hitler, F.D. Roosevelt, Tōjō Tojo and De Gaulle had been were even born[[/note]], fighting in the UsefulNotes/RussoJapaneseWar, UsefulNotes/FirstWorldWar and UsefulNotes/RussianRevolution. After the collapse of Imperial Russia, he retired 1917 in the age of 50 as General, returning to his native Finland. Little did he know his great years were only ahead. He was immediately assigned as the commander-in-chief of the [[UsefulNotes/FinnsWithFearsomeForests Finnish White Army]], leading them in victory in the Finnish Independence War. He was again nominated as Supreme Commander as Field Marshall, leading the country through all three phases of the Second World War in Finland: the Winter War and later in the Continuation War and War of Lapland. He was 78 when he retired 1945, taking the office of President of Finland. Sadly, his health broke down and he passed away 1951.

* Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim. He joined the Imperial Russian Cavalry in 1882, fighting in the UsefulNotes/RussoJapaneseWar, UsefulNotes/FirstWorldWar and UsefulNotes/RussianRevolution. After the collapse of Imperial Russia, he retired 1917 in the age of 50 as General, returning to his native Finland. Little did he know his great years were only ahead. He was immediately assigned as the commander-in-chief of the [[UsefulNotes/FinnsWithFearsomeForests Finnish White Army]], leading them in victory in the Finnish Independence War. He was again nominated as Supreme Commander as Field Marshall, leading the country through all three phases of the Second World War in Finland: the Winter War and later in the Continuation War and War of Lapland. He was 78 when he retired 1945, taking the office of President of Finland. Sadly, his health broke down and he passed away 1951.

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* Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim. He joined the Imperial Russian Cavalry in 1882, 1882[[note]]In context: out of the gallery of major power leaders in WWII, he got into military school before Hitler, F.D. Roosevelt, Tōjō and De Gaulle had been born[[/note]], fighting in the UsefulNotes/RussoJapaneseWar, UsefulNotes/FirstWorldWar and UsefulNotes/RussianRevolution. After the collapse of Imperial Russia, he retired 1917 in the age of 50 as General, returning to his native Finland. Little did he know his great years were only ahead. He was immediately assigned as the commander-in-chief of the [[UsefulNotes/FinnsWithFearsomeForests Finnish White Army]], leading them in victory in the Finnish Independence War. He was again nominated as Supreme Commander as Field Marshall, leading the country through all three phases of the Second World War in Finland: the Winter War and later in the Continuation War and War of Lapland. He was 78 when he retired 1945, taking the office of President of Finland. Sadly, his health broke down and he passed away 1951.

* Parodied in the season 3 finale of ''WesternAnimation/StarVsTheForcesOfEvil''. Star tries to get get military advice from her old mentor Sir Scarsguard, the oldest of Mewni's knights who's said to have led their army in battle for three generations. The problem is, Scarsguard is now so old that he's gone completely deaf and can't hear any of her questions, and is probably also senile.

* ''Film/TheThinRedLine'': Nick Nolte as Lieutenant Colonel Tall. They don't come much more grizzled.* ''Film/TheBigRedOne'': Lee Marvin, a WWII veteran himself, plays the part of "The Sergeant," who is a WWI veteran in this film about WWII filmed in the 1980s. * ''Film/TheDirtyDozen'': Lee Marvin as an old major, then reprises his role 18 years later in "The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission," which takes place in the same timeframe as the first movie.

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* ''Film/TheThinRedLine'': Nick Nolte Creator/NickNolte as Lieutenant Colonel Tall. They don't come much more grizzled.* ''Film/TheBigRedOne'': Lee Marvin, Creator/LeeMarvin, a WWII veteran himself, plays the part of "The Sergeant," who is a WWI veteran in this film about WWII filmed in the 1980s. * ''Film/TheDirtyDozen'': Lee Marvin as an old major, then reprises his role 18 years later in "The ''The Dirty Dozen: The Next Mission," Mission'', which takes place in the same timeframe as the first movie.

* ''BandOfBrothers''. During the final episode, "Points", Germany has surrendered and some of the now-disarmed German troops are being used in some minor roles in the Allied occupation. One such soldier, an old veteran, is assigned to man a checkpoint with Easy Company's Private Janovec. He happily talks about how he was in every country of Europe during the conflict. He then mentions that this is the end of his ''second'' war, meaning he had fought in UsefulNotes/WorldWarI as well. Janovec is stunned and congratulates him on being able to survive ''both'' world wars.

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* ''BandOfBrothers''.''Series/BandOfBrothers''. During the final episode, "Points", Germany has surrendered and some of the now-disarmed German troops are being used in some minor roles in the Allied occupation. One such soldier, an old veteran, is assigned to man a checkpoint with Easy Company's Private Janovec. He happily talks about how he was in every country of Europe during the conflict. He then mentions that this is the end of his ''second'' war, meaning he had fought in UsefulNotes/WorldWarI as well. Janovec is stunned and congratulates him on being able to survive ''both'' world wars.

* The French Army senior officer corps before and during [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII the disastrous 1940 campaign]] was populated by old veterans. The commander in chief General Maurice Gamelin had been born in 1872, his successor General Maxime Weygand had been born in 1867 and lived to nearly 100, and Field Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain had been born in 1856, making him the oldest man to ever become head of state in French history. When Prime Minister Paul Reynaud asked their opinion of [[{{UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle}} Charles de Gaulle]] (who was 50 back then), [[{{Irony}} they called him "an unruly kid"]].

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* The French Army senior officer corps before and during [[UsefulNotes/WorldWarII the disastrous 1940 campaign]] was populated by old veterans. The commander in chief General Maurice Gamelin had been born in 1872, his successor General Maxime Weygand had been born in 1867 and lived to nearly 100, and Field Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain had been born in 1856, making him the oldest man to ever become head of state in French history. When Prime Minister Paul Reynaud asked their opinion of [[{{UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle}} Charles de Gaulle]] UsefulNotes/CharlesDeGaulle (who was 50 back then), [[{{Irony}} they called him "an unruly kid"]].kid".

* Samuel Whittlemore, the oldest man known to have participated in the American Revolutionary War. At the ripe old age of 78 he [[OneManArmy single-handedly ambushed]] a British brigade, [[BadassGrandpa shot and killed three redcoats]], was shot in the face, [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill bayoneted 13 times]] and {{left for dead}} [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat in a pool of his own blood.]] He was found a short time later, [[MadeOfIron still alive]] and [[{{Determinator}} trying to reload his musket.]] The doctors said he had zero chance of survival. Even so, ''he recovered and lived another 18 years.''

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* Samuel Whittlemore, the oldest man known to have participated in the American Revolutionary War. At the ripe old age of 78 he [[OneManArmy single-handedly ambushed]] ambushed a British brigade, [[BadassGrandpa shot and killed three redcoats]], redcoats, was shot in the face, [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill bayoneted 13 times]] times and {{left for dead}} [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat in a pool of his own blood.]] blood. He was found a short time later, [[MadeOfIron still alive]] alive and [[{{Determinator}} trying to reload his musket.]] musket. The doctors said he had zero chance of survival. Even so, ''he recovered and lived another 18 years.''

* The silver shield pikemen, ''[[BilingualBonus Argyraspides]]'', from the war of the successors. These men had followed Alexander the Great in his campaigns and continued fighting in the wars of his successors. They formed a unit that was undefeated in battle, the only reason they surrendered was when the rest of the army had been routed and their camp, which had their wives, children, and loot, were taken by an enemy army. Afterwards they were disbanded and sent two at a time on suicide missions that they never returned from.

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* The silver shield pikemen, ''[[BilingualBonus Argyraspides]]'', ''Argyraspides'', from the war of the successors. These men had followed Alexander the Great in his campaigns and continued fighting in the wars of his successors. They formed a unit that was undefeated in battle, the only reason they surrendered was when the rest of the army had been routed and their camp, which had their wives, children, and loot, were taken by an enemy army. Afterwards they were disbanded and sent two at a time on suicide missions that they never returned from.

* Gerd von Rundstedt joined Germany's elite military academy in 1875, before Hitler had even gone to pre-school. One of the oldest field marshals and a dedicated [[BlueBlood Prussian]] officer, he lead forces in France and ukraine well into his ''late sixties'' - making him the oldest soldier in a senior command position in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and quite definitely the most competent man in his age bracket.* Field Marshal [[BlueBlood Count]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Radetzky_von_Radetz Radetzky]], already veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, won his most renowned victories, at Novara and Venice, aged 82. He still lived for 9 more years and actively ruled Northern Italy as a Viceroy of the Austrian Emperor. His death had been [[{{Irony}} due to injuries in an accident]].* Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim. He joined the Imperial Russian Cavalry in 1882, fighting in the UsefulNotes/RussoJapaneseWar, UsefulNotes/FirstWorldWar and UsefulNotes/RussianRevolution. After the collapse of Imperial Russia, he retired 1917 in the age of 50 as General, returning to his native Finland. Little did he know his great years were only ahead. He was immediately assigned as the commander-in-chief of the [[UsefulNotes/FinnsWithFearsomeForests Finnish White Army]], leading them in victory in the Finnish Indpendence War. He was again nominated as Supreme Commander as Field Marshall, leading the country through all three phases of the Second World War in Finland: the [[SmallCountryBigWar Winter War]] and later in the Continuation War and War of Lapland. He was 78 when he retired 1945, taking the [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning office of President of Finland]]. Sadly, his health broke down and he passed away 1951.

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* Gerd von Rundstedt joined Germany's elite military academy in 1875, before Hitler had even gone to pre-school. One of the oldest field marshals and a dedicated [[BlueBlood Prussian]] Prussian officer, he lead forces in France and ukraine well into his ''late sixties'' - making him the oldest soldier in a senior command position in UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, and quite definitely the most competent man in his age bracket.* Field Marshal [[BlueBlood Count]] Count [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Radetzky_von_Radetz Radetzky]], already veteran of the Napoleonic Wars, won his most renowned victories, at Novara and Venice, aged 82. He still lived for 9 more years and actively ruled Northern Italy as a Viceroy of the Austrian Emperor. His death had been [[{{Irony}} due to injuries in an accident]].accident.* Field Marshall C.G.E. Mannerheim. He joined the Imperial Russian Cavalry in 1882, fighting in the UsefulNotes/RussoJapaneseWar, UsefulNotes/FirstWorldWar and UsefulNotes/RussianRevolution. After the collapse of Imperial Russia, he retired 1917 in the age of 50 as General, returning to his native Finland. Little did he know his great years were only ahead. He was immediately assigned as the commander-in-chief of the [[UsefulNotes/FinnsWithFearsomeForests Finnish White Army]], leading them in victory in the Finnish Indpendence Independence War. He was again nominated as Supreme Commander as Field Marshall, leading the country through all three phases of the Second World War in Finland: the [[SmallCountryBigWar Winter War]] War and later in the Continuation War and War of Lapland. He was 78 when he retired 1945, taking the [[AwesomeMomentOfCrowning office of President of Finland]].Finland. Sadly, his health broke down and he passed away 1951.

* Colonel Kraft in ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'', the {{chessmaster}} rebel tactician who is already aging when first introduced and quickly steps down from active duty once the Confederation is established.

** Whiskeyjack has been fighting Imperial wars for decades. He is quite disillusioned with most of it, and tells the young Ganoes Paran to find himself a more worthy dream than becoming a soldier in the prologue of ''Literature/GardensOfTheMoon'', but he himself keeps going nonetheless. He is grizzled, greying, gruff and down-to-earth, despite having been a commander once, and is now the Sergent of the 9th squad of the [[EliteArmy Bridgeburners]]. He immediately develops a CaptainSmoothAndSergeantRough dynamic with the (now) Captain Paran when the latter is assigned to the Bridgeburners.

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** Whiskeyjack has been fighting Imperial wars for decades. He is quite disillusioned with most of it, and tells the young Ganoes Paran to find himself a more worthy dream than becoming a soldier in the prologue of ''Literature/GardensOfTheMoon'', but he himself keeps going nonetheless. He is grizzled, greying, gruff and down-to-earth, despite having been a commander once, and is now the Sergent of the 9th squad of the [[EliteArmy Bridgeburners]]. He immediately develops a CaptainSmoothAndSergeantRough dynamic with the (now) Captain Paran when the latter is assigned to the Bridgeburners.Bridgeburners, and turns out to be a FourStarBadass and a MasterSwordsman in ''Literature/MemoriesOfIce''.

* In ''Literature/TheBlackCompany'' series, this trope was written for Croaker [[spoiler: and all of the rest of the Company kept in a decades-long magical stasis]] in the later books, where he also [[spoiler:becomes a FourStarBadass]]: especially after [[spoiler:the Old Guard is resurrected from the magical]] imprisonment in [[spoiler:Water Sleeps]].

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* In ''Literature/TheBlackCompany'' series, this trope was written for Croaker [[spoiler: and [[spoiler:and all of the rest of the Company kept in a decades-long magical stasis]] in the later books, where he also [[spoiler:becomes a FourStarBadass]]: especially after [[spoiler:the Old Guard is resurrected from the magical]] imprisonment in [[spoiler:Water Sleeps]].[[spoiler:''Water Sleeps'']].

%%* In the ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', Whiskeyjack fits this this trope perfectly. Fiddler takes the role in later books.

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%%* In the ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'', * ''Literature/MalazanBookOfTheFallen'':** Whiskeyjack fits this this trope perfectly. has been fighting Imperial wars for decades. He is quite disillusioned with most of it, and tells the young Ganoes Paran to find himself a more worthy dream than becoming a soldier in the prologue of ''Literature/GardensOfTheMoon'', but he himself keeps going nonetheless. He is grizzled, greying, gruff and down-to-earth, despite having been a commander once, and is now the Sergent of the 9th squad of the [[EliteArmy Bridgeburners]]. He immediately develops a CaptainSmoothAndSergeantRough dynamic with the (now) Captain Paran when the latter is assigned to the Bridgeburners.** Fiddler becomes this as the series goes on. He starts out as a member of Whiskeyjack's squad and is said to have joined the army together with the latter. After technically deserting at the end of ''Literature/GardensOfTheMoon'', he rejoins the army under a different name because he can't think of of doing anything else than fighting for the Malazan Empire, and though everyone can tell he's a deserter who came back, they value his experience more. He is assigned a squad and inadvertently takes on the role Whiskeyjack used to have in later books.''his'' old squad, constantly grumping about how he is too old for this and how the recruits are still all green, but he keeps the squad together and is the leading DemolitionsExpert of the [[BadassARmy Bonehunters]].

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